A footman handed Lady Winfield into the carriage and then me. No sooner had the door closed when it opened again.
“Mother. Hannah,” Damon said with a cool smile, but his eyes had a flash of mischief. “Might I accompany you ladies into town? I must see to some business.”
“We would be delighted.” Lady Winfield shifted her legs to make room for her son to enter, but Damon didn’t immediately climb into the carriage.
“Do you think you canenduremy company, Miss Kent?”
I frowned. I hadn’t meant to injure his pride when I’d used that word to end our ride yesterday, but it appeared I had. And I knew I should smile and make room for Damon in the carriage, so he could have his choice of seats, but I’d been looking forward to spending the day in the company of women.
But as much as I wished to exclude Damon, to do so would be not only unkind, but rude, as I’d told Ollie in the garden. I did not want Lady Winfield to think badly of me, so I smiled tightly at Damon. “I can endure it, my lord. I have a strong constitution.”
Damon’s mouth twitched, and he climbed into the carriage, taking the rear-facing seat across from Lady Winfield and me.
Damon situated himself in the carriage. “You look lovely this morning, Hannah,” Damon said. “I trust you slept well?”
“I did.” My answer came out more curtly than I’d intended.
Lady Winfield gently touched my arm. “You had us all a little worried last night when you missed dinner.”
Oh. I softened both my expression and my tone. “I’m sorry for causing any worry. The ride yesterday left me with a slight headache.”
“Not from the company, I hope.” Damon’s knee bumped mine, and it wasnotan accident.
I adjusted my position away and straightened my skirts.
Damon laughed under his breath.
“Speaking of your ride.” Lady Winfield looked pointedly at Damon. “I must insist that should you choose to ride together again, you employ a chaperone.”
My face flamed with embarrassment. Taking a chaperone on our ride yesterday had not even crossed my mind. Damon wasDamon, but Lady Winfield was correct in her reproach. It was improper of us to ride without a chaperone.
“Yes, Mother. My apologies, Miss Kent. Please forgive my oversight.” It was impossible to tell whether or not Damon was earnest in his apology, but Lady Winfield seemed satisfied, so I nodded for her benefit.
The carriage swayed, and my stomach caught. Oh, not again. Hopefully the ride into town was a short one. If not, I would be in grave danger of losing my breakfast. I glanced at Damon’s boots. They appeared freshly shined.
The carriage jolted as if hitting a rock or a dip in the road, and I braced myself against the wall.
“Perhaps I misspoke earlier,” Damon said. “Hannah, your pallor is . . . dare I say, green?”
“Damon,” Lady Winfield scolded. “That is no way to speak to a woman.”
“He is correct. How much farther to town?”
“Only a short distance more.”
I nodded. The rest of the ride into town, I made sure to look out the side glass. Seeing the direction of the road somehow helped me feel better. Damon and his mother chatted idly, but I paid them no attention.
When the carriage finally came to a halt, I exhaled with relief.
Damon alighted first and held out his hand to help me down. Still upset with him for inserting himself into my day, I wished I could decline his assistance. But the last time I had felt unwell and refused his help, it had ended poorly for both of us. So I took his hand, stepped down, then quickly let go.
He smiled to himself, then reached out to help his mother.
I took a few deep breaths and relished the cool country air on my face. Thankfully, my nausea began to wane.
The town was exactly how I remembered it: a long row of shops stretched out on either side of the lane, and flowers spilled from window boxes in a cascade of pink and purple and white. The air even smelled sweetly of confections, just as it used to.
Lady Winfield joined me at my side. “Do you feel well enough to shop?” she asked.
